The head coach’s behavior is understandable, all things considered, but this is personal now. Which changes everything.
With a curt nod, and a poor attempt at a gentler expression, Julie heads out, and I watch her walk away, ready to beat the shit out of the next person who ruins the time I have with her.
J U L I E
* * *
The first thingI want to do is punch that chick named Heather. It’s like I’m hyperaware of the world around me, as if others know I let Rhino’s Warlord champion eat me out in a bathroom at an MMA party.
And now that woman haspicturesof us.
Which isn’t the end of the world. I mean, if I end up dating Ryder, it’s actually pretty freaking normal. But Idocare about how Andrew finds out. He’s made it so abundantly clear that Ryder and I can’t have asingle thingbetween us.
I don’t honestly know what I expected from all of this. I suppose I was hoping to have more time with Ryder before making any declaration to Andrew. The fighter and I aren’t evendating. How do I bring that up to the head coach?“Hey Andrew, oh nothing… I’m just fucking Ryder. Nope, not even a couple. Just wanted you to know. I’m having a great time, too, if that counts for anything.”
I groan as I wade through the crowd to the front doors, wishing Ryder was with me. I don’t know what it is about that moment in the bathroom, but he’s gained an edge on me. There’s something about being so physically exposed and cornered, my only access to freedom being to come right on his face…
He must have a thing for cornering those he’s about to conquer.
Either way, I had to give him a piece of my vulnerability that I hadn’t given to someone before. Leaving him behind feels like leaving a source of my comfort.
I just wanted to be alone with him...
And as annoying as the nagging thoughts are, I still worry that this might all be a giant mistake. Ryder is fuckingRyder; he’s huge. He’s one of the best fighters in the competition, and so is Legends. And now Ryder’s basically fucked both sports therapists, who are equally tending to the top fighters in Warlord.
How did I think no one would find this scandalous? Will this hurt our concentration as a team? Does that even matter? I have absolutely no experience with this, nor did I envision I’dneedto.
Andrew will kill me if this blows up in our faces.
I can’t let the head coach win this one. If I have to face the music, I will confront him on my own terms.
Iwillfight.
Bitterly searching for an Uber on my phone, I strike gold when it looks like one’s arriving that’s dropping off a few people.
I already begin imagining multiple scenarios and arguments with the head coach, as if auditioning for a role.
This fight with Andrew is going to be ugly.
Relying on Ryder’s participation to weather all of this doesn’t sit well with me. Not because he isn’t a great guy, but that’s a lot to burden himself with. How could I blame him if he focuses on his sister because at least she’s still alive?
I get in the Uber and rest my head against the seat.
Pulling out my phone, the screen blinds me when I unlock it before it dims to match the darkness. I stare Andrew’s name in my inbox, imagining him texting me about getting pictures from Heather, asking why Ryder and I snuck to a bathroom together.
I don’t know. Uniting with Ryder is both exhilarating and makes me feel like a burden. I have to ask him to fight Andrew with—and for—me.
We barely even started flirting—
My phone vibrates in my hands.
When I see it’s Andrew, my heart races like I just saw flashing cop headlights in my rear-view mirror; I’m holding my breath, expecting the worst.
Andrew 9:05 PM: Come to my room to treat his shoulder in about forty minutes. We’re both heading back.
Julie 9:05 PM: got it
I breathe a sigh of relief, my adrenaline pumping so hard that my thighs feel weightless.
